Easter baskets

I forgot to include this chronologically, but since we didn't have our own baskets I was compelled to buy some. Corey's was easy. Mine is boring. Was looking for something more shabby-chic, a wrought iron container. Will probably be replaced in the future. I love that they have paper grass now. I understand why my mom hated that plastic grass so much.

Socially acceptable visual target?

I was at a conference last week when a common situation got me thinking: I have a port wine birthmark (kind of resembles Alaska). I'm probably the only person who's been seeing a derm since the ripe old age of 6 mos. As you might believe, I'm totally used to people asking if I got burned, bruised, etc. However, I couldn't help but notice this woman with whom I was engrossed in a loooong conversation--about important professional topics--kept staring at my chest. Repeatedly. Is there no modesty in public curiousity? Is this any worse/better than if she were staring at me for having a large chest? Should I not care because it was a woman instead of a man?

Reflection

Corey's uncle passed away yesterday. Since Easter Sunday, I've been thinking a lot about what this holiday represents--the idea of a new beginning, growth...I hope that rings true for the gifts of time and healing. This winter brought a lot of darkness, and we're leaning towards the light.

GF Baking Class

CB gave me the coolest birthday gift--admission to a GF baking class sponsored by this location. I wanted to bring my mom (who is much more of a baker than I) but it was full. They made very amenable alternatives to the following goodies (which I'll paste below for anyone who cares):

Flour Mixture:

50/50 tapioca & quinoa flours
• mix this prior & store in airtight container
Add: corn/potato starch (about ½ T)
Xanthan gum (1/4 T per 1 c flour mixture)



GF Cake - Yellow

2 ¼ C Flour mixture
1 ½ C sugar (white or cane)
½ C butter, softened (not melted, room temp)
1 ¼ C milk (soy/almond/other)
3 ½ tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs (or 4 egg whites for white cake)
½ tsp xanthan gum
2 T potato starch


Wisk or sift flour to aerate. Beat all ingredients for 3 minutes, scraping sides occasionally. Start on low, gradually turn mixer up to med/high. (The mixture will be a little bit lumpy.) Pour into a greased pan. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

1 9x13 pan: 35-40 min
2 9” rounds: 30-35 min
9” cupcakes (12): 25-30 min


Butter Cream Frosting – easy
3 C powdered sugar
1/3 C butter, softened
1 ½ tsp vanilla
1-2 T milk
Mix sugar and butter with electric mixer on low. Stir in vanilla; gradually add milk until spreadable. Mixture will be very thick!




GF Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 C Flour mixture
¾ C Sugar
¾ C brown sugar
1 C butter, softened (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 c chopped walnuts (opt.)
2 T milk (for extra moisture)
½ tsp xanthan gum
1 bag (12 oz. chocolate chips)

Heat oven to 350. Cream the sugar, butter, vanilla, egg & milk. Slowly add the mixed dry ingredients and blend. Drop by tablespoonfuls on parchment paper. Bake 8-10 min.



GF Almond Macaroons

1 C almond butter (or peanut/cashew butter)
1 C water
1 C maple syrup (or honey/agave nectar)
½ tsp vanilla
1 C rice flour
8 C coconut shreds – unsweetened
1 C almonds (slivered/chopped)


Spray measuring cup before measuring out almond butter (very sticky). In a large bowl, cream together almond butter, water, vanilla and syrup (will be rather wet). Mix with a spatula/mixer until combined. When will incorporated, add coconut. Scoop cookies and flatten on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 min. Remove from oven & cool. Store in an airtight container.



Banana Cream Pie
Crust:
3 ½ C walnuts (almonds/pecans/etc)
¼ - ½ C sugar (white/cane/brown rice syrup/agave nectar)
½ stick butter
Grind nuts. Add sugar. Melt butter. Combine all 3 ingredients and pat into a 9” pie pan. Bake at 350 for 10 min & cool.

Pudding:

1 C milk
¾ C heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla (x 2)
3 egg yolks (cold)
2 T cornstarch
½ C sugar
½ T butter
Fine strainer/cheesecloth

In a separate bowl, mix together sugar & cornstarch. In a pan, heat milk, cream & vanilla until simmering, scraping the bottom at all times. Wisk yolks, sugar/cornstarch & salt; stream into hot milk. Whisk continuously on medium heat until it begins to boil. Immediately pull off stove. Strain mixture onto ½ T butter & 1 T vanilla using strainer. Stir poured mixture until butter melts. Cover with plastic wrap right on top of pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for a few hours.
Once pudding is completely cooled, add over nut crust. Add sliced (overripened) bananas. Top with whipped cream.

New bloggy friends

My friend Kristin & her friend Megan created a nifty blog for anyone who likes to shop--hello, anyone with a pulse? Honestly, though, I have little to no inspiration in my city of residence, but these daily enteries have kept my mental shopping list updated for my upcoming shopping trip! Plus, if you're really not into shopping or need some help putting items together, it's also a great find.